The Nuclear Energy Agency - Network and Security Engineer

Company Description

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD). It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co‑operation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

Job Description

The NEA is seeking an experienced Network and Security Engineer to provide expertise in networking and cybersecurity, ensuring the security, availability, and performance of the Agency’s IT infrastructure. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and improving network infrastructure, firewall security, and cloud-based network solutions, as well as supporting security operations (SOC analyst-level support) to monitor, detect, and respond to threats. This role will work closely with the IT Systems Engineer, who manages hardware and daily administration functions.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in and manage the NEA’s network infrastructure, including Cisco switches, Palo Alto and Fortigate firewalls, and f5 for DNS and VPN. 
• Support the increasing use of Azure cloud-based network solutions to enhance security and scalability. 
• Ensure robust network security through proactive monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response. 
• Support SOC (Security Operations Center) activities, including threat monitoring, log analysis, and security event investigation. 
• Respond to security incidents, conduct forensic analysis, and support the implementation of remediation measures. 

Infrastructure and Operations 

• Maintain and enhance network performance, ensuring high availability and secure connectivity. 
• Implement and manage firewall policies, VPN configurations, and intrusion prevention systems. 
• Work closely with the Network and System Administrator to ensure smooth daily network operations and hardware management. 
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure security best practices are applied across systems and applications. 
• Work closely with vendors and service providers to optimise network and security solutions. 

Security Compliance and Innovation 

• Conduct regular security assessments, audits, and penetration testing. 
• Assist in drafting and implementing security policies and procedures. 
• Stay up to date with emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies to continuously improve security posture. 
• Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency improvements in network and security operations. 
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on cybersecurity awareness and best practices. 

Other 

• Carry out other related duties assigned by the NEA IT Systems Manager. 

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• A university degree in computer science, information security, network engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Professional Background

• At least five years of experience in network and security engineering, with expertise in enterprise environments. 
• Familiarity with Secure Access Service Edge frameworks and their implementation would be an advantage. 
• Strong understanding of firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and cloud networking. 
• Experience providing SOC analyst-level support, including threat hunting and incident response. 

Tools

• Expertise in Cisco networking, Palo Alto and Fortigate firewalls, f5 for DNS/VPN, and Azure networking solutions. 
• Familiarity with SIEM tools, endpoint protection, and SOC operations. 
• Experience with log analysis, security event correlation, and vulnerability management. 
• Ability to write scripts and automate security tasks using Python, PowerShell, or Bash. 

Additional Information

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.

Closing Date

• This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 23h59, 29 September 2025 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• 3 years fixed-term appointment.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 7 644.78 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD’s new contractual modalities.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.  
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
• This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions. 

Selection Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For retained candidates, the selection process may include a video-recorded interview, job-based assessment and panel interviews.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.